Linebacker Aaron Wallace aiming for return to UCLA’s starting lineup

In his first game as a sophomore, UCLA linebacker Aaron Wallace started the first game of his career. Against Nevada almost exactly a year ago, he lined up on the opposite side of All-American Anthony Barr in a 58-20 blowout. He notched two tackles.

Wallace played in each of the Bruins’ next 12 games, but never found himself again on the field for the first snap. Instead, freshman Myles Jack burst out with one of the most memorable college football debuts of the last decade, eventually becoming the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year on both offense and defense.

This past spring, Wallace again appeared poised to seize a starting spot. Barr was off to the NFL as the No. 9 overall pick, and no clear successor existed at outside linebacker.

Another setback: the redshirt junior struggled academically, and did not enroll in the spring quarter. While he trained alone at home in San Diego, the Bruins grinded through training camp, the competition on defense passing him by.

“All I wanted to do was come back,” he said.

He certainly looks back. Wallace said he put on 10 to 15 pounds while working out over the offseason, and now stands at 6-foot-2, 243 pounds. Through most of UCLA’s practices at Cal State San Bernardino, it was Wallace who seized most of the first-string reps in the Bruins’ 3-4 base defense.

It’s not quite what he imagined, because he didn’t imagine much at all.

“I really didn’t come in with expectations with what it was going to be like,” Wallace said. “I just knew I needed to focus on my game, trying to find a role I can fit in. I’m happy with how it turned out.”

With new defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich employing a more diverse set of schemes, the linebacker said he’s learned to adjust. The defense has emphasized power pass rushes rather than speed rushes, Wallace said, and involves new techniques such as “pinning the hip.”

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He also hasn’t taken much solace in his current reps in practice: “Nothing’s really solid. I’m just coming out every day, trying to defend where I’m at.”

Added Ulbrich: “Aaron is a guy that, he always had the potential. He’s always had the physical skill set. Sometimes, it takes a little longer to develop, for whatever the reason may be. He’s shown signs that he’s coming into his own. He’s starting to figure this thing out.

“That’s what’s exciting to me. He’ll have to opportunity to be the guy, initially, and we’ll see where it goes from there.”

Decisions, decisions

Offensive coordinator Noel Mazzone has remained mostly mum on UCLA’s running back situation, falling back mostly on the committee approach the team used a year ago. Everyone’s good, and everyone’s ready to contribute.

On Wednesday, however, he did comment on the progress of senior Jordon James, who rushed for 424 yards in his first three games before losing most of his 2013 season to an ankle injury.

“He’s become more of a decisive runner, which is good,” Mazzone said. “He’s obviously a very explosive guy, probably one of the most explosive guys. Got the burst. Probably the fastest one. What I’ve seen about him I really like, is his decision-making in the hole.”

Star power

Actor Denzel Washington showed up to UCLA’s Wednesday practice, talking to and taking pictures with the wide-eyed Bruins. Last Thursday, the team had cut practice short and attended a screening of Washington’s upcoming movie, “The Equalizer,” which will be released Sept. 26.